iPad I don’t want anyone ever telling me again that updates don’t devastate battery life.

[soundslikeaudio]

So I have a half bias (used to work for the fruit company but have left macOS entirely and switch back and forth between iOS and Android), but I don’t personally think this is related to forced obsolescence or forcing updates. This is a bug, one that cost Apple money both in fixing and then in support costs. Forcing someone with an iPad running a version with a known bug to update just costs more money in support.

like I said, I’ve always thought this was a bug on the activation server. Some iPads, update em or restore em, good as new. Some, particularly 2’s, wouldn’t activate again no matter what, DFU mode, tethered or wireless activations, nothing. And it was a random assortment of iPads that were hit (notably no iPhones to my recollection), though the 2’s got it the worst. Given the lack of consistency (and you now having it years later), I think the culprit has to be the one common thread, the activation server handling iPads on that OS.

A few less invasive steps to try if you haven’t already : try going to settings -> General -> reset and erase all settings. This puts preferences back to default without eliminating data. So just a few tweaks in the settings app and you’re set. MacOS will sometimes have issues and you’ll need to trash the preferences files. iOS at its core is fork of macOS and that reset is the equivalent.

since you’re using iCloud, if you’re using iCloud Photo Library and messages in the cloud, a restore and setup as new isn’t super terrible, mostly just redownloading apps. It’s a pain, but a pain that does correct issues.

worst case: call applecare and ask for tier 1, explain your situation and your unhappiness with its result. Can’t hurt.

Sorry tier 2.

 

[FeliApple]

So I have a half bias (used to work for the fruit company but have left macOS entirely and switch back and forth between iOS and Android), but I don’t personally think this is related to forced obsolescence or forcing updates. This is a bug, one that cost Apple money both in fixing and then in support costs. Forcing someone with an iPad running a version with a known bug to update just costs more money in support.

like I said, I’ve always thought this was a bug on the activation server. Some iPads, update em or restore em, good as new. Some, particularly 2’s, wouldn’t activate again no matter what, DFU mode, tethered or wireless activations, nothing. And it was a random assortment of iPads that were hit (notably no iPhones to my recollection), though the 2’s got it the worst. Given the lack of consistency (and you now having it years later), I think the culprit has to be the one common thread, the activation server handling iPads on that OS.

A few less invasive steps to try if you haven’t already : try going to settings -> General -> reset and erase all settings. This puts preferences back to default without eliminating data. So just a few tweaks in the settings app and you’re set. MacOS will sometimes have issues and you’ll need to trash the preferences files. iOS at its core is fork of macOS and that reset is the equivalent.

since you’re using iCloud, if you’re using iCloud Photo Library and messages in the cloud, a restore and setup as new isn’t super terrible, mostly just redownloading apps. It’s a pain, but a pain that does correct issues.

worst case: call applecare and ask for tier 1, explain your situation and your unhappiness with its result. Can’t hurt.

I had read that there was a bug in the activation servers for iOS 9 (many people described the same issue on the iPhone 6s as well). But I knew I couldn’t do anything, so I just thought “Let’s pray that it doesn’t happen to me and let’s keep using it on iOS 9”.
Now that I had to update it, calling AppleCare seems like a waste of time, they won’t downgrade it back to iOS 9.
I agree that this case specifically isn’t forced obsolescence (partly). I say partly because they should allow me to downgrade back to iOS 9. Give me 3 billion warnings about how I’m compromising security. Give me another half billion warnings about how Apple isn’t responsible for any bugs. Give me a billion warnings about anything you can think of. But let me downgrade to iOS 9. If you won’t, fix the activation servers. I have known about this issue for at least two years now.

Regarding what I can try: I can try resetting my settings (although I have every single draining setting off; you name it: background app refresh, mail set to fetch manually, location services off for nearly everything, etc). But I cannot restore it, as it will update to iOS 13, unfortunately.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Without telling us what apps you use and what battery says is using all the CPU cycles hard to help with this - but I won't tell you again that updates don't cause problems. It could be an application that you use that isn't using things properly.

 

[retta283]

I said in this thread that my iPad Pro 9.7 deactivated out of the blue on iOS 9: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-9-activation-error-ipad-pro-9-7.2198681/#post-27789526.
I tried a lot of things. I tried iMazing’s exit setup assistant, multiple hard resets, a tool from the jailbreak community, nothing worked. My iPad wouldn’t activate. In the end, Apple’s activation servers are broken on 64-bit devices on iOS 9, and I found a LOT of people that said they had to update. After hours of trying, I gave up. I updated to iOS 12.4.1. Performance is fine, other than a little keyboard lag in notes (weirdly, I am typing as fast as I can, and it doesn’t lag here or elsewhere). Also, performance on everything else is like-new.
Now, battery life took a MASSIVE dive. I’m a light user. My iPad got 13-14 hours when new on iOS 9. It was getting 12-13 before updating, with 84% health.
I use the iPad lightly, and it isn’t lasting 10 hours. Not even ten. Don’t say that it’s battery health, clearly it was fine on iOS 9.
Also: I don’t even want to imagine what it does to older iPhones... I guess what I thought and witnessed on a friend’s iPhone 7 was true. It barely scraped four hours, down from 8 initially on iOS 10.

I am extremely sorry that happened to you. I can imagine that the Pro was a beast on iOS 9.

My 5S got its battery wiped out pretty bad going from 10 to 11. It was starting to degrade, but I am sure that 11 had a partial role in it.

 

[saudor]

don’t close apps. There is absolutely no need and it has been said many times by developers that it actually hurts battery life. When an app isn’t active... it isn’t active.

Unless the said app is facebook/messenger. Heck even if it's killed from the multi tasking, you can see it reload itself into memory if you're jailbroken. I only use mobile safari now IF i need to go on that site due to some unfortunate friends who prefer to chat there lol

 

[FeliApple]

Without telling us what apps you use and what battery says is using all the CPU cycles hard to help with this - but I won't tell you again that updates don't cause problems. It could be an application that you use that isn't using things properly.

Safari, Netflix, Reddit, iBooks, built in apps. That’s all. Again, it’s not the apps. It’s the OS. By the way, I used it exactly the same way on iOS 9.
People have blindly defended iOS updates so much that it’s sickening. Why isn’t everyone complaining? Why isn’t this forum full of these threads? Not everyone buys new every year. Nearly everyone updates. I’m stumped.

 

[Paddle1]

It's iOS 11. The battery life took a big hit there on older devices. 12 and 13 just don't bring it back. It wasn't the most optimized release, to say the least.

 

[Shirasaki]

Safari, Netflix, Reddit, iBooks, built in apps. That’s all. Again, it’s not the apps. It’s the OS. By the way, I used it exactly the same way on iOS 9.
People have blindly defended iOS updates so much that it’s sickening. Why isn’t everyone complaining? Why isn’t this forum full of these threads? Not everyone buys new every year. Nearly everyone updates. I’m stumped.

They just want the latest and greatest and “security updates”. Feature wise is another story, but updates may patch old holes but introduce new ones. Also, if all they do on their device is visiting random sites and downloading random stuff, no amount of security updates can save them.

”if it ain’t break, don’t fix it“. just look At recent macOS bug that prevents people from booting after restart. Snow leopard, el Capitan, those older versions are very popular for those working in audio industry. nobody cares about using Mojave or even Catalina. Same thing.

 

[max2]

Safari, Netflix, Reddit, iBooks, built in apps. That’s all. Again, it’s not the apps. It’s the OS. By the way, I used it exactly the same way on iOS 9.
People have blindly defended iOS updates so much that it’s sickening. Why isn’t everyone complaining? Why isn’t this forum full of these threads? Not everyone buys new every year. Nearly everyone updates. I’m stumped.

I am sure not stumped. It is easy to figure out.

 

[one more]

Just out of curiosity, have you tried a full iTunes backup-restore method instead of a forced update? This could be a good initial step.

It is normal that each iOS gets progressively more demanding on power, storage and RAM, just as it was with “old” computers with each new OS release.

FWIW, I managed to get 12 years of heavy use from my 2006 white CoreDuo MacBook, which was stuck on Snow Leopard, before I finally gave it to Apple to recycle.

For my iOS devices, I now happily run iOS 13.1.1 on both my 2 year old iPhone 7 and 3 years old iPad Air 2. Both run the latest iOS very well for my needs.

I think if we can get 3-4 years out of an iOS device nowadays, it is a very good run. My family still rock my 2013 iPad Air with no issues (iOS 12 with very light use). 👍

 

[FeliApple]

They just want the latest and greatest and “security updates”. Feature wise is another story, but updates may patch old holes but introduce new ones. Also, if all they do on their device is visiting random sites and downloading random stuff, no amount of security updates can save them.

”if it ain’t break, don’t fix it“. just look At recent macOS bug that prevents people from booting after restart. Snow leopard, el Capitan, those older versions are very popular for those working in audio industry. nobody cares about using Mojave or even Catalina. Same thing.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is exactly my approach. I would have ran iOS 9 forever if these idiots had fixed the activation server. With Macs I know I can go back, but here I cannot, and I would have updated to iOS 10 immediately if I had known... apparently this doesn’t happen on iOS 10 and after.

 

[FeliApple]

Just out of curiosity, have you tried a full iTunes backup-restore method instead of a forced update? This could be a good initial step.

It is normal that each iOS gets progressively more demanding on power, storage and RAM, just as it was with “old” computers with each new OS release.

FWIW, I managed to get 12 years of heavy use from my 2006 white CoreDuo MacBook, which was stuck on Snow Leopard, before I finally gave it to Apple to recycle.

For my iOS devices, I now happily run iOS 13.1.1 on both my 2 year old iPhone 7 and 3 years old iPad Air 2. Both run the latest iOS very well for my needs.

I think if we can get 3-4 years out of an iOS device nowadays, it is a very good run. My family still rock my 2013 iPad Air with no issues (iOS 12 with very light use). 👍

I didn’t, and the only reason I didn't, is because if I did (due to, well, another one of Apple’s pathetic policies) it would update my iPad to iOS 13.
Don’t get me wrong: it runs like new. Performance hasn’t changed (believe me, I’m looking at this thing under a magnifying glass, and I used iOS 9 for three years. Battery life isn’t a tragedy (meaning, it hasn’t gone from 13 hours to 3.5), but the drop is significant. If I had updated it, I wouldn’t complain. It’s my fault, suck it up. I’m complaining because I did everything I could not to update (I even charged it without Wi-Fi to prevent Apple from constantly downloading the latest update). And Apple still forced me to.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Lucky, Apple still signing iOS 12.1.4 at this time. I took upgrade several of my iPhone and iPad to iOS 13.1. Battery has been pitiful at best. 100% battery around 8:00 and 50% battery around noon time. This never happened with iOS 12.4.1.

I have restored to iOS 12.4.1 for battery to get to normal.

I am planning to stay iOS 12.4.1 as long as possible. The fact Apple does not me restore back to older version, I will not take any chances. If I have these activation error or other BS forcing me update, I will again pick up my Huawei P20 again.

 

[CTHarrryH]

My battery life on my X is better on 13.x - my wife's is better on 8+

 

[FeliApple]

My battery life on my X is better on 13.x - my wife's is better on 8+

Better than their original versions? Nope, no way.

 

[Shirasaki]

With Macs I know I can go back

Only if you can somehow get an image of the OS your Mac supports. Not too hard but do keep in mind that recovery install will ALWAYS install the most current version, regardless of the supported OS.
My Mac is running high Sierra and I don’t have a plan to upgrade anytime soon. I am testing Catalina but I don’t want to pull the trigger yet. Maybe after a year or two when possible.